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What style of kitchen do you want. 1 2 3 4 Country: Rustic and homely Modern: Sleek and industrial Contemporary: Crisp and clean. Futuristic: Out of this world. They all have one thing in common they all have a cooker sink & fridge and are usually the hub of the house. They also have a vast array of expensive appliances so careful thought and planning must go into designing what is probably the most expensive room in the house. 2
The style and layout of a Kitchen and bathroom can determine whether a house will sell or not. People when buying a house must like both of these rooms as they can t afford to be spending more money on redesigning these rooms. The overall style of the house should continue through the kitchen. Imagine a country style cottage with stainless steal worktops and glass doors or a sleek shiny open plan apartment with a knotty pine kitchen smack bang in the centre of the room. Neither would look well! 3
Relaxed and Comfortable Country styled kitchens are difficult to define exactly as they have an eclectic feel, which means that they have all sorts of bits and pieces from differing styles and periods combined to create the country look. There are also regional styles that are probably more well known like French Provincial Country Style or Old English Country Style, Colonial American Country Style. They all bring a similar feeling to the style, that of a safe, warm and comfortable homely ambience to the kitchen. 4
Usually constructed in timber. Worktops are either timber or tiled. Finish is left natural, stained or painted in shades of off whites or pastels. In some styles the timber is limed or waxed to give a distressed look. This ages the look of the kitchen. Most country styled kitchens have room for a kitchen table & chairs or benches & table. The preferred timber types are pine, maple or the local wood in plentiful supply such as beech, oak or ash. 5
Image from Practical Ideas for Kitchens & Bathrooms 6
Image from Practical Ideas for Kitchens & Bathrooms 7
In the art and design world modern refers to a period of time from 1920 s to 1950 s. Materials used during this time were wood, leather, linen & moulded plywood. Plastic and polished metal were also very poplar. Furniture was very open and off the floor. This period is often referred to nowadays as retro. The Modern Style started back during World War 2 when Bauhaus designers left the country and spread their design styles across the world. 8
The Bauhaus modern design style emphasized on minimalism, simplicity, and function when compared to traditional design. Modernism referrers to a time when things moved away from traditional. Modern Style refers to a simple functional design, not to current or recent design. Why are modern and contemporary styles often confused? Modern style has been very much in fashion in recent years, so blends well with currents styles. The materials introduced then are still in use. 9
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Images from houzz.com 11
Images from houzz.com 12
Images from houzz.com 13
Images from houzz.com 14
Images from houzz.com 15
Contemporary Means "Today" or "Recent" Contemporary designs or contemporary furniture refers to furniture designs of the 21st century. In 50 years contemporary will still mean most current or recent but modern will mean over 100 years ago. The contemporary style kitchen is easy cleaning and low maintenance. Surfaces are specified for easy cleaning and low maintenance. Vinyl flooring is popular for it s easy clean and hygienic properties as well as cost effectiveness 16
Tiles are still poplar with people opting for natural stone or vitrified stone tiles. Laminate timber flooring made a brief appearance but water and timber don t go well together. Some opt for a more expensive solid timber or semi solid flooring but these need regular maintenance. During boom years poured resin floors were poplar but very expensive. Normally used in industry became very poplar for open plan houses. 17
Virtually maintenance free and extremely hygienic as well as being bullet proof to everyday abuse. 18
Windows in the kitchen are functional and the only dressing is to control the light in and provide privacy usually in the form of a blind. Contemporary style kitchens also have bold colours incorporated in their design. Colours such as reds, blues and bright colours. The colour can be the decoration, appliances or the cabinetry. The walls are painted, coloured tiles used as a splash back behind the sink or behind the cooker. During boom years coloured glass splash backs were again very popular but very expensive. 19
Glass Splashbacks bring light and elegance to any home or bathroom. Available in any colour they are stunning, hygienic and a cutting edge alternative to traditional wall tiles. Toughened glass Splashbacks can be made to the exact size and shape you require, including cut outs for sockets and switches http://www.vivaglass.ie/index.html 20
Accessories are coloured and can be changed regularly to create a new look. The contemporary style kitchen is functional and versatile. The appliance colours can be selected from white the most traditional, to black the most sophisticated or stainless steel for a clean hygienic modern feel. Trends in colour also go out of fashion very quickly. Some appliance mainly fridges/freezers come in a range of colours like greens, red, yellow and pink. 21
Contemporary styled kitchens cover a vast array of looks. They fit in well in most modern homes today and are an ideal style for remodelling and renovating your kitchen. This style of kitchen can be changed to create different looks with a minimum expense through coloured accessories. Replacing or painting cabinet doors. Changing worktops. 22
Images from houzz.com 23
Images from houzz.com 24
Images from houzz.com 25
houzz Images from houzz.com 26
Images from Pouted.com 27
Images from Pouted.com 28
Images from Pouted.com 29
Images from Pouted.com 30
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Storage room similar to olden day pantry 33
Wire works used to create order with storage. Contemporary 34
Wire works used to create order with storage. Contemporary 35
http://www.pouted.com/breathtaking-and-stunningitalian-kitchen-designs/ Number of slides http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/kitchen/p/ 16 Number of slides http://blog.relishinteriors.com/modern-vs-contemporarywhats-the-difference/ Modern versus contemporary. http://www.flooredgenius.com/ Poured resin floors http://www.vivaglass.ie/index.html Glass splashbacks 36